News Release

Sunday, February 6, 2005

Juvenile Dies after Officer Involved Shooting

The information presented here is preliminary and subject to change. In the interest of providing information to the media and the public, we wanted to ensure that you had as much information as quickly as possible. It is possible that this information may change as the investigation continues.

On February 6, 2005, just before 3:50 a.m., officers on routine patrol at Gage Avenue and Grand Avenue attempted to stop a 1990 4-door maroon Toyota Camry. The officers attempted to stop the car due to seeing the driver run a red light at Gage Avenue and the 110 Freeway. As the officers followed the car onto the freeway, they believed that they were stopping a vehicle that was possibly being driven by someone who had been drinking. This was due to seeing the car accelerate and then decelerate and weave from one lane to another lane. They followed the car onto the freeway and turned on their red lights and siren. The vehicle did not stop. The officers then turned off their siren and used the public address system in the police car in an attempt to get them to stop. When this failed the officers broadcast that they were in a pursuit.

The vehicle did not stop but instead accelerated and led police on a chase of approximately 3 minutes duration and approximately 3 ½ miles. The officers broadcast that they were in pursuit at 3:50 a.m. and the pursuit ended at approximately 3:53 a.m.

As the vehicle was driving Northbound on Western Avenue, the suspect vehicle attempted to turn eastbound (right) onto 83rd Street. The suspect overshot the corner, moving up onto the sidewalk. The police car came to stop behind the suspect vehicle and slightly offset.

While on the sidewalk, the passenger in the suspect vehicle exited from the vehicle and ran eastbound on 83rd Street.

The suspect vehicle, containing only the driver, then backed up and a collision occurred with the police car. The physical evidence shows that at the time of the collision, the passenger side door of the police car was open. There was extensive damage to the right (passenger) side of the police car.

During this event - one suspect fleeing, the vehicle backing into the police car and the collision - one officer fired at the car. A total of 10 rounds were fired. The driver of the suspect vehicle was struck and he was killed by the gunfire. The driver was a 13-year-old juvenile.

The suspect who fled was arrested at the scene and he has been charged as a juvenile with Grand Theft Auto (PC 602 WIC; 487.3) He is 14 years old. He was placed at Eastlake Juvenile Hall. The vehicle had been stolen from 2117 W. 54th Street earlier in the morning hours.

Investigation:

The Los Angeles Police Department's Force Investigation Division is leading the investigation.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's "roll-out" team responded to conduct a simultaneous and parallel investigation. The Los Angeles Police Commission Office of the Inspector General responded and monitored all aspects of the investigation.

The LAPD conducted extensive scientific and crime scene investigative techniques at the scene. The LAPD major traffic accident team was called to the scene to conduct a total reconstruction of the accident and shooting.

Mutual Aid was requested from the Irvine Police Department for a "total station"; this is a piece of equipment that allows for precision mapping of a scene using a laser. In addition, Irvine PD has specialized equipment that allows for downloading of data from the "black box" of the patrol car. Depending on the nature of the impact, there may be data on this device that would assist in recreating the impact of the suspect vehicle on the police car. Both vehicles have been placed in secure impound and additional scientific tests will be performed.

Police Chief William J. Bratton was present at the scene. Police Commission President David Cunningham was present at the scene. All aspects of the Federal Consent Decree were complied with. The investigation is continuing at this time and more information will be forthcoming.

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.